Chapter 84: Despicable Imitation
Without waiting for Guo An to answer, Guo Quan next to him burst into laughter.
"I know about that!" He said with a smile, "This kid never thought that he would go from being a follower of one person to being a follower of two people. Not to mention, they even fight every day over those two girls."
Hearing this, Master Liu was deeply moved: "The school was in chaos back then! Little kids were learning to smash, loot, and rob. Teacher Lin from our family compound was such a good person! But in the end, it was because a student broke his head that he returned home and quit his job."
"Of course." Guo Quan reached out and poked his brother on the head, "This kid is so cowardly, so easily defeated by the wind. But he was so arrogant back then, fighting with people every few days, always coming back injured, and often being beaten and sent to the hospital.
One time, his cotton-padded jacket was torn by someone, and my dad was so angry that he chased him halfway down the street with a rolling pin."
After all, time has passed. When Guo An talks about the past now, he no longer feels angry. He can even joke to himself: "How can I not be a bully? Back then, Xiao Ai's family background was not good, and she was bullied every now and then. If I didn't go, would those two girls have to do it?"
He clenched his fist and patted his shoulder. "Don't underestimate me! I'm actually quite good at fighting. I learned all that back then."
Cheng Yang didn't know what happened to his wife when she was in school. Now, when he heard them mention it as a joke, he couldn't help but feel distressed.
He thought again of his wife's agility when fighting with others, and couldn't help but think that Xiao Ai was able to have such kung fu probably because she was forced by the situation, just like Guo An.
The more I think about it, the more I blame myself.
They talked for a while, and then Cheng Lin came back with his brother after closing the stall.
Seeing that everyone was there, Shi Xiaoai invited everyone to start eating.
The table was full, so Cheng Kai took his nephews and nieces to the small house, where Shi Xiaoai specially prepared a table for them.
Since everyone was familiar with each other, they skipped the greetings and started to enjoy the meal.
Shi Xiaoai's craftsmanship once again won praise from everyone.
After three glasses of wine, the atmosphere at the dinner table reached a climax.
Guo An suddenly asked, "Xiao Ai, did you learn this craft from your grandfather? I remember you didn't live here when you were a child?"
Shi Xiaoai explained: "No, I learned cooking from my mom. I was just over one year old when my parents moved out of my grandpa's house, and I almost never lived with him."
Guo An was very surprised.
He picked up a stone bun on the table and asked, "Did you learn this from your mother?"
Shi Xiaoai was stunned for a moment, but she felt that there must be a reason for him asking this, so she nodded and said, "Yes."
Guo An's expression became indescribable.
He took a deep breath and said, "You probably don't know that your cousin Shi Daxi is also selling stone buns in front of the chemical plant now!
He made a wooden sign with the words "Lao Shi's Stone Buns" written on it, and held it high every time he set up his stall.
There was a large line of words written on the wooden sign, which said "This is the only one of its kind."
I used to think this was your grandfather's craft, and it was passed down to both of you, so you can both sell this.
So if what you said is true, this should be your mother's craft, and has nothing to do with Lao Shi's family?"
The reason why Guo An immediately thought that Shi Daxi was imitating it after Shi Xiaoai denied that it was passed down from his grandfather was because he knew very well that Shi Xiaoai was the first to make this stone bun.
Moreover, he was familiar with Shi Xiaoai and believed that she would not lie.
Others may not think so.
After hearing what Guo An said, everyone present was shocked. Even Guo Quan couldn't help but ask, "How did you know? Why didn't I know about this?"
Guo An looked at his brother and explained, "I have to pass by the chemical plant on my way to and from work. I see it every day, so they'll definitely know! You don't go through that gate to work at the lumber factory, and you always come home so late. Even if your family knew, no one would think of telling you."
After hearing this, several people looked at Shi Xiaoai together, and Cheng Lin was the most impatient, his face flushed with anger.
Shi Xiaoai had long anticipated that someone would imitate her, but she did not expect that the first people to imitate would be Shi Xiaomei and her siblings, and that their imitation method would be so despicable.
They are planning to make Shi Xiaoai suffer in silence!
They are all Grandpa Shi’s grandchildren. If they put up such a sign, who would believe Shi Xiaoai even if she said that she didn’t learn it from her grandfather?
But if it is really the old man’s craftsmanship, then it must have been passed down from his ancestors.
If Shi Xiaoai can sell, then naturally Shi Xiaomei and Shi Daxixi can also sell. There is no question of who came first or who imitated whom.
This is clearly making Shi Xiaoai suffer a loss.
However, Xiao Ai didn't care too much about these things. It was just trademark squatting. She had seen a lot of it in her previous life.
Stone steamed buns themselves are not a particularly technologically advanced product, so it is inevitable that they will be imitated or even surpassed. Xiao Ai had already prepared for this.
Even if the people being imitated now are the Shi brothers and sisters, it does not arouse her anger. She cares more about other things.
She looked at Guo An and asked, "They're allowed to sell things at the entrance of the chemical factory. Isn't there anyone supervising them? Also, I remember Shi Xiaomei was working as a temporary worker there, right? Her brother selling things at the entrance won't affect her, right?"
"Shi Xiaomei didn't sell it. It was her brother Shi Daxi who sold it. Shi Daxi was fired, and he doesn't have to go to work.
He didn't have a fixed stall, he just stood on the roadside with a bamboo basket and sold his wares to people.
Their whole family are veterans of the chemical factory, and the leaders all know them. Even if they saw something, they would basically turn a blind eye and let it go. Who would really investigate it?
I didn't see Shi Xiaomei, but everyone said that Shi Xiaomei made it at home and then asked Shi Daxixi to sell it.
Shi Daxi himself said that his sister once got the recipe passed down in the family and was your grandfather's heir.
Guo An looked at Shi Xiaoai with some curiosity. "Is that recipe real? A lot of people at the chemical plant know about it, and it's spreading like wildfire."
"I don't know." Shi Xiaoai shook her head and answered honestly, "I was in the countryside the whole time and didn't even see my grandfather for the last time. I don't know if there is a recipe."
Guo An nodded thoughtfully: "If that's the case, then it might really exist."
He looked at Shi Xiaoai with some worry: "If there is a recipe, Xiaoai, you won't be able to explain this matter clearly. If she insists that it is the recipe left by your grandfather, you will have no way to prove it."
Shi Xiaoai waved her hand. "That's not important. There's no need to prove it. If she insists it's passed down from my grandfather, that's fine. Since it's passed down from the older generation, if she can use it, I can use it too."
I didn't have much to explain, so she said, "Let's just talk about Lao Shi's stone buns. Just think of it as her advertising for me."
Shi Xiaoai continued to ask, "Guo An, have you noticed? Do they sell it all the time, or only occasionally?"
"Keep selling?" Guo An thought for a moment and said, "Anyway, I've encountered this several times on my way to and from get off work.
One time my sister-in-law was working overtime and my brother was not at home, so I went to pick her up.
It's almost seven o'clock, almost eight, and I still see Shi Daxi and his wife standing at the entrance of the chemical plant. They must be selling to the workers who worked overtime that night. If you say so, they're practically selling all day long."
Guo An's sister-in-law also works in a chemical factory. She is an accountant there and occasionally has to work overtime.
After hearing what he said, Shi Xiaoai's expression became a little serious.
This is what she is most worried about!
What she could think of, the others around her could naturally think of as well. Master Liu asked first: "If they sell all day, where do they get the noodles?"
He pointed at Shi Xiaoai and said, "Even though I've worked in our restaurant for decades, if Xiaoai can't produce a certificate from the office, even I can't help her get so much food. Where did Shi Daxi get the noodles? He doesn't have the ability to do it."
Shi Daxi also worked in the hotel before and knew both Master Liu and Guo An.
They may not understand other people, but they are definitely clear about Shi Daxi's personality and social relationships.
Shi Daxi looked tall and strong, a handsome man, but he was a complete fool and had no real abilities.
Master Liu absolutely didn't believe that he could have such great power.
Guo An shook his head: "I don't know either. But I don't think Shi Daxi got it."
"It might be his sister. His sister should have this ability." Chen Min, who had been silent all this time, suddenly said.
"How do you know? Do you know Shi Xiaomei?" Guo An asked without thinking.
In fact, not only him, but everyone was very surprised.
Although Shi Xiaoai also thought of this possibility, it was obvious that Chen Min should know the inside story.
"That area they're in is also under the jurisdiction of our police station! When they had a beating incident, it was me who led the team to the chemical plant to investigate."
Chen Min suddenly smiled at this, then said in a nonchalant tone, "We deal with the people in the office every day, so we're definitely the first to know any gossip. If you have any questions in the future, you can come to me directly."
Is this possible?
The police station is also responsible for collecting gossip?
Everyone's expressions were filled with shock.
But if you think about it carefully, there is actually some truth to it.
The sisters and aunts in the office walk around the streets, and their daily work is to maintain street security and convey national policies to residents.
Apart from anything else, if there is something going on in any household on the street, no matter who it is, it can be hidden from the sharp eyes of these older sisters and aunties.
They are also the most familiar with the local police officers.
"Brother, tell us what's going on! Does Shi Xiaomei still have this ability?" After figuring it out, Guo An was very excited and came up to Chen Min and asked.
Everyone looked at him.
"It's not a special case, actually. Shi Xiaomei is dating the new deputy director of the chemical plant. I heard they're going to get their marriage certificate in the next few days.
The entire chemical plant’s family compound knew about what Shi Xiaomei’s sister-in-law said, and naturally the people in the office knew about it too.
It's hard to say whether Shi Xiaomei has any power, but the deputy director is certainly capable. They're going to be married soon, so it shouldn't be difficult to help her get some rice, flour, grain, and oil.
"The new deputy director of the chemical plant?"
Shi Xiaoai thought for a moment and asked, "Is he very old and has white hair?"
Chen Min nodded. "Yes, he was transferred from Hai City. He's said to be a high-level intellectual and very capable. It seems the leaders of the chemical plant went to Hai City specifically to invite him back."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
